Law Society launches open houses to discuss challenges faced by racialized licensees

Toronto: As part of its ongoing efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusiveness in Ontario’s legal profession, The Law Society of Upper Canada is launching a series of public consultation meetings throughout the province this winter to gain personal feedback from legal professionals and others.

The consultation follows the release of the Law Society’s consultation paper, Developing Strategies for Change: Addressing Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees.

Public open houses are being held in Brampton, Toronto, Windsor, London, Newmarket, Oshawa, Sudbury, Ottawa, Hamilton and Thunder Bay. The sessions kicked off January 12 and will wrap up on February 25, 2015. A full schedule is available at: www.lsuc.on.ca/racialized licensees. Meetings are also scheduled with the Law Society’s various stakeholder partners.

The consultation paper reports that despite a steady increase in the number of racialized licensees over the past two decades, these members continue to face challenges — many of which are distinct from those faced by their non-racialized peers.

“We’re looking forward to constructive and meaningful dialogue regarding the consultation paper, the questions it poses and what licensees and other interested groups and individuals think about the options described,” says Law Society Treasurer Janet E. Minor. “We also welcome any other helpful suggestions to help address the challenges identified in the paper.”

Interested parties are also encouraged to provide written submissions to the Law Society by March 1, 2015. Details are available online.

The public consultation sessions are accredited for one hour of Continuing Professional Development for lawyers and paralegals who attend.

The Law Society has a duty to protect the public interest, to maintain and advance the cause of justice and the rule of law, to facilitate access to justice for the people of Ontario, and to act in a timely, open and efficient manner.

Media contact:
Susan Tonkin, 416-947-7605, stonkin@lsuc.on.ca
Communications Advisor
The Law Society of Upper Canada
Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N6

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